From the AJC
Bishop Eddie Long made a church summer camp counselor call him “Daddy” and coerced him into sexual acts, according to a third lawsuit filed against the mega-church leader.
On Wednesday, Jamal Parris, 23, a former member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, became the third man to file suit against nationally known preacher and his church.
The suit, similar to two filed on Tuesday accuses Long of using his power to force the plaintiff into a sexual relationship. In exchange, Long placed the Parris and the two other men on the church’s payroll, bought them cars and other gifts, and took them on lavish trips, according to the suits filed in DeKalb County Superior Court.
Parris worked as summer camp counselor at New Birth, according to the suit. Parris, now living in Colorado Springs, Colo., and his mother joined the church in 2001 when he was 14.
Within two weeks, Long gave Parris his personal cell phone number, the suit alleges.
Their relationship intensified during the 2004-05 school year, with Long often inviting Parris to his guesthouse on Snapfinger Road.
"Initially, Long engaged in sexual touching during their encounters and then escalated the activity to oral sodomy and other acts of sexual gratification," the suit reads. "Long would discuss the Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity."
Parris claims he left the church in 2009 "disillusioned, confused and angry."
Long adamantly denies the allegations and has scheduled a press conference Thursday morning.
Parris' allegations are similar to claims made by Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson, who filed suits Tuesday.
